Expert interviewing techniques aid Irish corruption inquiry

PNHQ’s Mary Schollum helped make Irish history recently when she testified to a corruption inquiry in Ireland by video link from Wellington.

Project Manager of the Investigative Interviewing Project, Crime Service Centre, Mary’s appearance at the end of last year was the first time state-of-the-art video technology had been used by a witness at an Irish judicial inquiry.

The corruption inquiry has been addressing allegations of the 1990s and early 2000s against the Garda – Ireland’s national police force – chaired by Mr Justice Fred Morris.

Mary came to the attention of the Tribunal when members of the legal team accessed her publication ‘Investigative interviewing: the literature’ on the Police internet (search the title on www.police.govt.nz to see the first in a series of reports on interviewing she has produced for NZ Police).

In her appearance on 18 December Mary’s evidence started at 11pm (10am Irish time) and finished at 2am.

“I initially gave a 30 minute presentation outlining my findings from both the international literature and my research into the New Zealand situation.

“I explained how I’ve designed an overarching strategy incorporating principles, guidance, standards-based training, practice and feedback, supervision and assessment, accreditation, evaluation and performance management, and appropriate technology and facilities.

“If implemented as designed, the strategy should ensure we get more complete, accurate and reliable information from victims, witnesses and suspects. This will benefit our investigations and result in more successful prosecutions.”

Detective Superintendent Win van der Velde, National Crime Manager, was in the room when Mary gave her evidence.

“It was a coup for New Zealand Police having someone called as an expert witness to this international forum,” says Win.

“In relation to identifying how to make improvements in the area of investigative interviewing, it’s clear we are at the forefront of good practice.

“We’re currently working through how these will be implemented in New Zealand,” he says.

Mary Schollum – her work in the area of investigative interviewing saw
her called as an expert witness to an Irish corruption inquiry.